A 16-year-old girl, recently released from a hospital after a battle with Stage 4 cancer, is advocating for her father’s release from immigration detention. Ofelia Torres stated that her father, Ruben Torres, was taken into custody by federal immigration agents shortly after she was discharged from a hospital in Chicago.
According to her attorney, Kalman Resnick, Ruben Torres was apprehended at a Home Depot store in Niles. He has lived in the United States since 2003 and has worked for the same employer for 20 years as a painter. Resnick confirmed that Ruben is currently being held at the federal ICE processing facility in Broadview.
The attorney plans to file a motion in federal court seeking to secure Ruben’s release later this week. “He has an absolutely impeccable record in the United States, and we believe that we can demonstrate to an immigration judge that he’s entitled to stay in the United States with his family,” Resnick stated. He added that they are seeking a “cancellation of removal,” which could provide a pathway to lawful permanent residency and eventual citizenship for Ruben Torres.
Ofelia described her father as a hardworking individual who “wakes up early in the morning and goes to work without complaint.” She expressed her distress at the situation, emphasizing the emotional toll on her family during her ongoing health struggles. “This is just nothing short of cruelty, pure, simple, engineered cruelty,” Resnick remarked, highlighting the broader implications of such detentions on families in similar situations.
In a heartfelt video appeal, Ofelia called for federal agents to treat immigrants, including her father, with “love and respect.” She underscored the humanity of immigrants, stating, “I’m making this video to spread awareness and remind the public that immigrants are humans with families and deserve to be treated with love and respect, just like anyone else.”
As the family awaits the court’s decision, the case has drawn attention to the challenges faced by many immigrant families in the United States. Ofelia’s plea resonates with advocates calling for more compassionate treatment of individuals in immigration detention, particularly those with deep family connections and personal hardships. The outcome of this case may influence discussions surrounding immigration policies and their impact on families navigating difficult circumstances.
